St Swithun’s Junior School has recently
become involved in an international junior version of the CrossFit Challenge.
The junior challenge has been developed and initiated by eight like-minded
schools from Australia, Canada, Switzerland and the USA. St Swithun’s Junior
School is currently the only school representing the UK, through the current
Year 5.

Every week one of the schools sets the
others a fitness challenge and sends them a video showcasing the challenge.
This consists of different exercises which the girls then have a week to
complete. The last challenge included
bar chin-ups and squats with ball throws.

The programme is only in its second week
but the response from the girls at school has been fantastic.

St Swithun’s juniors enjoy a cross-fit session

The plan is to develop the links further,
exchange PE ideas and work together on other global sports projects. This is all
part of the new approach to sport at the junior school which is developing the
sports opportunities available to the girls, rather than solely focusing on
trying to win matches which has been the staple of many independent schools for
a long time.

Roger Marshall, director of sport at St
Swithun’s Junior School said, “We have a responsibility to expand the horizons
and opportunities for our girls at St Swithun’s and to enthuse the children so
they leave us with a desire to stay physically active whilst possessing the
skills to enjoy any sport or physical activity they choose in future life. The
cross-fit initiative is just one project that is helping us achieve this and we
are very proud to be part of it.”